Pennsylvania Teachers Train for Active Shooter Situation

Teachers and staff from the Millcreek School District participated in a TROJAN Response training exercise to prepare for an armed intruder

By Jessica Davis

March 14, 2019

On Monday, teachers and staff from the Millcreek School District participated in a TROJAN Response training exercise to prepare for emergency situations like an armed intruder or active shooter.

"We're trying to prepare everyone…whether it is run to evacuate, whether it's a lock down to be safe, and if that lock down should barricade, whatever options they have to try and defeat an intruder,” Millcreek Police Officer Nate Spiker said.

The district implemented the TROJAN Response last year. TROJAN stands for the following protocol: Threat Assessment, Run, Obstruct and Barricade, Join Forces, Attack and Never Give Up.

“This is crucial because hands-on training is where most people learn,” Spiker said. “So to actually have a drill where we go through and put the teachers through a scenario, gives them a visual hands-on training in which they can be productive."

During the training, physical education teacher Jolene Gerlach used the Attack method to take down a pretend shooter.

"It's a sad reality that this is what we are living through,” Gerlach said. “It gives us a tool kit of what we can use, and what's best effective."

District teachers said the training is necessary to ensure the safety of students on their campuses.

"I think Millcreek is being very proactive in doing these type of things, and helping the teachers and staff prepare for emergency situations,” teacher Elie Salchak said.

"We have not only ourselves, but other people's children in our care,” Gerlach said. “Just like anything else, we want to make sure we do what's best to protect those kids."